Jackie Allen

Hath I Not Wings?

Too early out of cozy nest, I a fledglingSought adventure, the journey a soloing flightOver towns and cities, deep lakes, wide rivers.And, determined, With downy wings spread wide, Claimed I, The birthright of my independence.

More foreign than imagined was the world.Above, below, such strange sights seen, I shuddered at some voices heard, yet breathed A new perspective, Though not without concern~Too great The temptation, my innocence the target.

With silken tongues, birds of prey with raw clawsOf intent, spent they their guile, coveted they myYouthfulness, courted my wings of arresting naiveté.Lavishly attentive With sharpened sense of power, On wings Of ancient persuasion, they greedily pounced.

A broken wing. A time of healing. And now grown, Hath not I gained some knowledge, some wisdom? Will I not now, on wing of caution, guard Myself from attack? Will not any who have wingsFind within, A way to learn from one’s mistakes?